New Mercedes-Benz Actros: First drive

The evolution of the Mercedes-Benz Actros continues, with the next major update to the platform now looming for Australia, roughly three years on from the introduction of the brand's latest-generation line-up.

Trucksales has just had a sneak peek at a pre-production example of the new breed – a Mercedes-Benz 2653 – on a drive that took us from Melbourne's southern-eastern fringe back to Mercedes-Benz HQ in Mulgrave.

It was only a relatively brief 90-minute run but it took in both highway and metro roads (plus a busy industrial estate), and with a tri-axle tautliner in tow it gave me a fascinating insight into the impressive technological innovations heading our way.

The truck I drove is one of a fleet of 20 validation vehicles currently being trialled across a spread of applications. It's a continuation of the extensive validation program that preceded the generational update in 2016, and which has become a core component of the brand's philosophy in recent years.

That local validation process meant it took several years for that new generation to reach our shores but this latest update, which in essence retains the same engine, driveline and cab architecture, will be available sooner rather than later.

In fact, after breaking cover at Hanover's IAA expo in Germany in September 2018, the first examples hit the road in Europe in mid-2019 – and after the completion of our local validation program, we'll see the trucks reaching operators in numbers from the second quarter of 2020.

So what's new with the latest Mercedes-Benz Actros? While there are around 60 individual updates to be found throughout the platform, the big changes can be boiled down to four main areas: a new multimedia cockpit; the 'MirrorCam' digital side mirrors; the arrival of Mercedes-Benz's Predictive Powertrain Control, which blends topographic data with cruise control to minimise fuel burn; and the latest generation of autonomous emergency braking, or Active Brake Assist 5.

As outlined by the Director of Mercedes-Benz Truck & Bus Australia, Michael May, at the start of our test drive, the changes largely concern the vehicle's electronics and connectivity, which basically offers another layer of benefit upon the platform's existing mechanical foundations.

"There is a new level of architecture in the 'smarts' in the computing power to deal with information [in the new Actros]," he said.

"Some of these innovations, like the MirrorCam and the new multimedia display, need more computing power. The base, the core, the heart of the running gear – all the mechanical components – have been well proven for reliability and we're not losing that, we're actually adding to that."

Related reading:
2018 Mercedes-Benz 2653: Review
First drive: Mercedes-Benz Actros 2651
Benz to launch mirrorless truck in 2020

After jumping behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz 2653 at a service centre on Melbourne's fringe, I can say the new multimedia cockpit certainly catches the eye.

A 12-inch TFT dash behind the wheel is now complemented by a 10-inch multimedia touchscreen to the left, while the wheel itself has a range of integrated controls for the cruise control and to navigate the dash's menu system.

It looks great – anyone used to a late-model Mercedes-Benz car should certainly feel right at home – and it's also customisable, but it really doesn't take long to get to grips with how the menus work and how all the various driver-assistance functions can be utilised.

However, it's the underlying connectivity technology underpinning all this – and its potential – that's the really cool bit.

Mercedes-Benz has basically adopted an open electronic architecture that means third-party applications can be 'pushed' to the truck remotely. While operators will be able to integrate their own in-house apps directly with the truck, they can also choose from over 230 'soft switches' for all manner of functions, effectively avoiding the need to hard-wire in a physical switch.

Previously, adding in a PTO switch, for example, required the truck to be off the road while the PTO switch was wired into the dash. Now, instead of a physical pressure switch, the driver can access that PTO using a switch on the multimedia touchscreen.

Not only will this minimise downtime, it enhances reliability too, as wiring in extra functions always has the potential for problems.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Senior Manager, Andrew Assimo, says the system represents a major step in terms of connectivity.

"Most vehicles on the road today have some form of third-party interface installed, but this new system can now act as that interface because the software for the interface can be pushed directly to the system," he said.

Hard switches can still be wired in in the traditional manner, however, which effectively gives operators the best of both worlds.

The 10-inch multimedia touchscreen is used to access a wide range of functions, including navigation, the stereo (including digital radio and Bluetooth streaming, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), lighting, up to four auxiliary camera inputs, climate control, on-board weight scales, tyre pressure monitoring (if fitted), maintenance items and more.

Oh, and the standard USB port has made way for the latest USBC equivalent – this has far faster data transmission rates but, depending on the device you want to power or connect, it can require an adaptor cable.

The main dash, meanwhile, can be configured to the driver's liking, with a central speedo or a speedo/tacho display, plus the driver's preferred trip and truck info.

The key is a fob, so all you need to do to start it up is press the start button, while there's a new, one-lever electronic park/trailer brake. The brake releases when you flick the automated manual transmission into drive and it automatically comes on when you shut the engine down (or you can apply it manually using the pushbutton). Subsequently there are no air lines in the cab – it's all electronic.

Of course, the biggest attention grabber in the cab has to be Benz's new MirrorCam digital mirror setup, which caused a real stir when it was previewed at the Brisbane Truck Show last May.

This sees the standard side mirrors replaced by camera units, the latter's output (with both standard and spotter views) displayed on high-definition screens mounted on the A-pillars inside the cab.

It's such a simple idea but one with so many benefits – and an example of how the truck industry can outpace even the passenger car industry in terms of innovation.

The camera display units are located inboard of where traditional side mirrors would be, meaning a driver's eyes are off the road for a shorter period when doing a mirror check. And forward three-quarter vision is now appreciably better as there are no big mirror units blocking your view – an aspect particularly noticeable when entering roundabouts.

The lack of traditional side mirrors also spells less wind noise and better aerodynamics, in turn improving fuel efficiency. And there are no big, bulky side mirror units to potentially smash when passing or being passed by another truck, or when near buildings or trees.

The camera units themselves are mounted high above the side windows, largely out of harm's way, and the stalks on which they're mounted are flexible – they will hinge forward or back if they do knock something.

The camera lenses are treated with a special slippery coating that repels dirt, dust and debris, and they incorporate a heater that triggers when the temperature sinks to 15 degrees C or below.

Mercedes-Benz says the cost of this digital setup is roughly equal to that of a traditional mirror setup, so it really seems like it's all upside as far as this innovation is concerned – especially after trying it for myself.

The display is crisp and clear, and it gives you a great view of the rear of your trailer. The display features four graduated lines – the lowest one marks where the rear of your trailer is, while the next one is in line with 30 metres behind the rear of the trailer, then 50 metres behind and 100 metres behind.

Flick on an indicator to change lanes and these lines extend further across the display so you know when you can safely move back in after overtaking a vehicle.

And knowing exactly where the rear of your trailer is makes reversing into loading docks so much simpler.

The benefits continue when taking a sharper turn, as you can switch between the standard view or a wide-angle view at the press of a button, meaning you never need lose sight of the back of that trailer. And setting the up system is super easy, for both single-trailer and B-Double applications.

Add in the cameras' night-vision capabilities – said to offer far superior vision than a traditional setup in low light or after dark – and I really can't see any drawbacks to this clever bit of gear. I'll wager we'll see the uptake of this technology in all manner of road-going vehicles in the years ahead.

Mercedes-Benz is also upping the ante with its Predictive Powertrain Control, which is how it refers to its topographic cruise control.

Basically there's a 3D topographic map of Australia's main truck routes loaded into the truck, which then draws on this info to determine the right driveline input to achieve maximum fuel efficiency over undulating terrain.

While the topographic coverage is limited to 'A roads' at present, more routes will be mapped as time goes on.

You can input the vehicle's dimensions so it can take, for example, a B-Double set into account, and you can set by how much the rig can overrun or underrun its set cruise speed. Add in the truck's ability to freewheel down descents (given certain parameters are met), and it's streets ahead of vehicles of not so long ago.

Drivers can choose from adaptive or regular cruise control, the former allowing the vehicle to follow another vehicle up to a set speed at a set distance. It's an increasingly common feature, and an important one for minimising driver fatigue.

'Benz says the system has unlocked fuel efficiency gains of up to five per cent in Europe, while its benefits are now being closely monitoring here in Australia.

Of course, there are other brands that employ similar systems, but this is increasingly looking like a 'must have' for operators which want to cut their fuel bill, and minimise their carbon footprint while they're at it.

And that leaves Active Brake Assist 5, the brand's autonomous emergency braking system that now sees a camera added to the existing radar to take pedestrian detection to the next level. The system can now employ up to 100 per cent braking power in the event of a pedestrian walking out in front of the truck.

"It's the next level of advancement and takes us to a benchmark level in terms of the truck business," said Assimo.

Of course, it will also guard against those smaller front-end bingles – bingles that, nonetheless, still cost money and time off the road to rectify.

It's all part of the brand's RoadEfficiency mantra, which Mercedes-Benz says is all about offering the best overall package to make its customers more profitable, safer, and on the move.

With Mercedes-Benz Trucks already having adopted Euro 6 across the board, and supplying its in-house telematics system as standard (it's up to the customer whether they utilise it or not), the brand is clearly on the front foot as far as cutting-edge technology goes.

"A lot of companies are dreaming and talking about all this stuff, but Mercedes-Benz does it," said May, echoing the bold statement printed on the tautliner curtains on the trailer behind our test truck.

"We're often first but we're also focused on getting it right, so it's actually useable in the environment. When we talk about connectedness and being the first, and offering safety and having total efficiency, these are filtering into our products right now."

It's a fascinating and exciting time to be in the truck industry, a time when the industry is arguably undergoing more change than at any other since Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler built the first trucks in the mid-1890s.

How far we've come… This latest Actros is certainly one slick bit of gear that promises much for drivers and operators. Based on this first initial taste, we can't wait to see how it rolls out Down Under.